Boeing

The Boeing Company recently received a $235 million contract for the production of 11,054 Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) kits. The U.S. Air Force Air Armament Center at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting agency. The contract includes a $25 million option for an additional 1,150 kits.

The award follows the Milestone III decision by the Defense Acquisition Board earlier this month, allowing the program to enter into full-rate production.

"During development, JDAM bettered requirements for price, performance and production," said Mike Marks, vice president and general manager, Weapons Programs. "With full-rate production, we will be achieving rates of more than 1,000 kits per month. This would not be possible without the tremendous contribution of our program team, which includes our suppliers and customer."

In addition to Boeing, the JDAM production team includes Honeywell Inc. (inertial measurement unit), Rockwell Collins (global positioning system receiver), HR Textron (tail actuator subsystem), Lockheed Martin Tactical Defense Systems (mission computer), Lockley (tail fairing), Enser and Eagle-Picher (battery), and Stremel (strakes and cable cover).

Boeing will deliver 10,382 JDAM kits to the U.S. Air Force. The U.S. Navy will receive 672 kits and has an option for an additional 1,150.

JDAM is a low-cost guidance kit that converts existing unitary warheads into smart bombs. The kit consists of a tail section that contains a mission computer, inertial measurement unit, global positioning system receiver and battery-operated actuators to control the movable fins. Strakes are banded to the body of the warhead to provide aerodynamic stability in flight.

The U.S. Air Force had previously ordered 15,998 JDAM kits in four lots while in low-rate initial production.

JDAM is one of the most tested and matured weapons to enter the U.S. inventory, with more than 650 developmental and operational flight tests. The U.S. Air Force and Navy have used more than 700 in combat since JDAM's first operational launch in Operation Allied Force.

JDAM is a program selected by the U.S. Department of Defense to test methods for streamlining the acquisition process. By incorporating extensive use of commercial practices and off-the-shelf components, Boeing is able to produce a highly accurate and reliable JDAM at a low system cost.

Most U.S. military attack/bomber aircraft have already demonstrated JDAM capability, including the U.S. Air orce B-1, B-2, B-52 and F-16, and the U.S. Navy/Marine Corps F/A-18. Plans are under way to demonstrate compatibility with the Air Force F-15, F-117 and F-22; the Marine Corps AV-8B; the Navy F-14; and the multi-service Joint Strike Fighter.

Boeing produces the JDAM in a state-of-the-art, lean, high-rate facility in St. Charles, Mo.

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